Last year, as we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Santa Fe Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Luncheon & Summit, I found myself looking back at how far we had come. What started with an idea and just over 100 women at La Fonda has grown into one of our Chamber’s signature events, bringing together more than 400 women last year for a day of connection, learning and inspiration.

This year our theme for the 11th Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon & Summit is Bold Optimism, and I can’t think of a better message for this moment.

There is a lot to be optimistic about. According to the latest U.S. Census data, New Mexico is home to 7,760 women-owned employer firms. Nationally, women own more than 12 million businesses.

Those are numbers worth celebrating, but they tell only part of the story. Women hold just 29% of C-suite positions in corporate America and lead only about 11% of Fortune 500 companies.

To me, bold optimism doesn’t mean ignoring those gaps. It means believing we can change them.

Over the past decade, one of my favorite parts of this event has been the conversations that happen when women share the real stories behind their leadership, not simply their successes, but the risks they took, the lessons they learned, the people who opened doors for them and the moments when they had to create their own opportunities.
I’ve watched women exchange business cards, make introductions, find mentors and leave with an idea or connection they didn’t have when they walked through the door. That is why bringing women together matters.

This year, we are taking that experience even further with a full day of programming focused on leadership, business, innovation, wellness and personal development. Women from across New Mexico will come together to learn, build relationships and consider one important question:

What becomes possible when we choose to lead with bold optimism?

For me, optimism isn’t passive. It’s deciding progress is possible and being willing to do the work to create it. It’s mentoring the woman coming up behind you, making an introduction, encouraging someone to pursue a leadership position, supporting a woman-owned business or simply pulling up another chair and making sure someone has a seat at the table.

After 11 years, I still believe deeply in the power of bringing women together, and I remain boldly optimistic about what happens next.

I invite you to be part of it.

Join us Friday, October 16, at Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder for the 11th Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon & Summit. Come ready to learn, connect and be inspired, and perhaps leave ready to take your own next bold step.

Bring a colleague. Invite a friend. Encourage a woman whose leadership you believe in to join you.

Because the future of women’s leadership in New Mexico isn’t something we simply wait for. It’s something we build together.

Click here to learn more.
 
Bridget Dixson, ACE, IOM
President and CEO
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce

​On Thursday, August 27, Marbella Santa Fe Senior Living celebrated the completion of more than $1 million in community renovations with a grand unveiling event themed “Mucho Mucho Caliente: Hot New Look, Same Exceptional Care.” The renovation refreshed common areas throughout the community with updated flooring, lighting, furnishings, artwork, and décor, creating a brighter, more welcoming environment while preserving the home-like atmosphere residents enjoy. Learn more at MarbellaSantaFe.SeniorLivingNearMe.com.

​On Thursday, August 13, Restore Hyper Wellness marked its 4th anniversary. Attendees celebrated with a Wellness Happy Hour, gaining insights into Restore’s innovative health services and networking with community members. This event, held during National Wellness Month, honored Restore’s dedication to supporting people in prioritizing their health and reflected on four years of service to the Santa Fe community. For more information, visit Restore.com.

​Beyond the Mission: Supporting Santa Fe's Nonprofits

As I was reviewing our website analytics recently, one statistic immediately caught my attention. The number one category visitors search for on the Santa Fe Chamber website is nonprofits.
That made me stop and ask, Why? Are people searching for services, volunteer opportunities, jobs, or simply trying to learn more about the organizations that make such a difference in our community?

Perhaps it shouldn't have surprised me. Santa Fe is recognized as having one of the highest concentrations of nonprofit organizations per capita in the nation. That says something special about who we are as a community. We are a place where people step forward to solve problems, preserve our arts and culture, care for our neighbors, protect our environment, and improve the quality of life for everyone.

​Most of us could probably name 20 or 30 nonprofit organizations without much thought. We know the organizations making headlines, hosting annual events, or supporting causes close to our hearts. But what about the hundreds of other nonprofits quietly serving our community every day? Who are they? What missions do they represent? What needs are they meeting? And who is helping them succeed?

One thing I've learned is that nonprofits are much more than charitable organizations. They are businesses with a mission. They develop strategic plans, manage budgets, build strong teams, raise funds, market their services, and measure their impact. They create jobs, purchase goods and services locally, and contribute to the economic vitality of our community. Their purpose may not be to generate profit, but they absolutely generate value.

Like any business, nonprofits also need support. They need engaged board members, dedicated volunteers, strong community partnerships, and sustainable funding. Behind every successful nonprofit is a network of people and organizations committed to helping them fulfill their mission.

As we begin the Chamber's new fiscal year, we want to lean into supporting Santa Fe's nonprofit community in a more intentional way. Over the coming months, we'll be reaching out to nonprofit leaders to better understand their challenges, opportunities, and where the Chamber can make the greatest impact. We want to listen first.

​If you are part of a nonprofit organization, I invite you to reach out to me personally. Tell me what your organization needs. Is it networking? Board development? Volunteer recruitment? Professional development? Marketing? Business connections? Advocacy? We want to hear from you.

​The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce is committed to being a resource for organizations of every size and sector. We believe that when nonprofits succeed, our businesses succeed, our economy grows stronger, and our entire community benefits.

Sometimes the best ideas begin with a simple question. For me, that question started with a website search report. I hope it leads to new conversations, stronger partnerships, and an even greater appreciation for the nonprofit organizations that work every day to make Santa Fe a better place to live, work, and thrive.
 
Bridget Dixson, IOM
President and CEO
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, Whataburger celebrated the opening of their new location in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Since 1950, Whataburger has been serving hot, made-to-order burgers and more with a smile. Visit their dining area at 3570 Cerrillos Road. Learn more at whataburger.com

On Thursday, June 4, 2026, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden celebrated the groundbreaking of the future Barbara Goede Children's Discovery Garden. More than 100 guests attended the event, while children participated in hands-on nature activities that showcased the experiential learning the garden will offer. Learn more at visitsfbg.org

The Chamber Sits at the Intersection of Everything
 
One of the things I appreciate most about the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce is that we sit at the intersection of so many important conversations happening in our community.
People often think of the Chamber as networking events, ribbon cuttings, and business celebrations. While those activities are certainly part of what we do, they are only a small glimpse into the broader role we play in helping bring people together around issues that impact Santa Fe's future.
 
After returning from a short vacation last week, I was reminded just how diverse those conversations can be. In the span of only a few days, I reviewed more than 100 Business Achievement Award nominations, spoke with an individual researching broadband and fiber infrastructure and its impact on economic development, participated in discussions surrounding homelessness and the community conversations taking place around potential solutions, met with county leaders to learn more about improvements to their permitting process, attended our Women's Educational Series, celebrated the growth of local businesses through ribbon cuttings, and prepared for an upcoming panel discussion focused on the importance of childcare.
 
At first glance, those topics may seem unrelated.
They're not.
 
Broadband impacts economic opportunity. Permitting impacts entrepreneurship. Childcare impacts workforce participation. Addressing homelessness impacts businesses, neighborhoods, and quality of life. Leadership development and professional growth help shape the future of our community.
 
Each conversation represents a different piece of a much larger puzzle.
What continues to inspire me is the number of people throughout Santa Fe who are working every day to make our community stronger. Business owners, nonprofit leaders, educators, elected officials, community advocates, and residents all bring valuable perspectives and a shared desire to move Santa Fe forward.
 
The spirit of Santa Fe is alive in entrepreneurs taking risks, organizations serving others with compassion, and leaders willing to tackle complex challenges together.
In a world that often feels divided, I am continually reminded that progress happens when people come together, listen to one another, and focus on solutions.
That is why this work matters. And that is why I remain grateful for the opportunity to sit at the intersection of these conversations and help build a stronger, more connected, and more prosperous Santa Fe.
 
Bridget Dixson, IOM
President and CEO
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce